Click on the play button to listen to report.

I’m Bob Larson. Another big bump in the road for the Millennium Bulk Terminal in Longview after the Cowlitz County hearings examiner denies a request for shoreline permits at the proposed coal export terminal. This marks the second permit denial in less than two months after the Department of Ecology denied a water quality permit for what many say are reasons unrelated to the permit.

Washington Farm Bureau president John Stuhlmiller says the rulings don’t bode well for the economy

JOHN STUHLMILLER … “You know, at the moment, all cards are against this project. And it’s not for reasonable reasons. That’s the problem. It’s not based on the fact of the law and the requirements of the law. It’s the stuff that is outside of that. That’s what’s most troubling.”

Stuhlmiller says unfortunately, this is just part of a very troubling trend for an economy that relies on shipping …

JOHN STUHLMILLER … “So, there’s challenges to any projects in Vancouver, the Port of Vancouver. Challenges to Kalama. Challenges to this facility at Longview. Challenges to Tacoma with their temporary restrictions they’re looking to put on at the Port of Tacoma at the property down there, the tide flats. And, there’s challenges in Seattle to not have any newcomers. There’s challenges in the Port of Bellingham and Ferndale, up there, those projects, the Gateway facility. That is troubling. We are uniquely positioned for export. We need that export.”

Stuhlmiller says Millennium also has plans to appeal the Cowlitz County decision. But, he says, it just adds more delays and will come down to how patient Millennium is willing to play along with the political environment in Washington state.